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FIRE SAFETY & SECURITY • 69
The Gold Standard
» » PAT JEFFERIES, COMMERCIAL
Director at Abloy UK, discusses the
importance of fire door standards, and
advises locksmiths to continuously
refresh their knowledge in order to stay
compliant.
Access control on fire and emergency
escape doors is a critical subject for
locksmiths, as fitting the correct system
can mean the difference between life and
death for the occupants of a building.
As well as having a moral obligation to
ensure access control systems adhere
to the latest regulations, there is also a
legal requirement to ensure compliance
to British standards.
Building regulation standards that
relate to access control include EN179
Emergency Escape (for when the
building occupants are aware of the
building environment), EN1125 Panic
Escape (for environments used by the
general public) and the new standard
EN13637 Electronically Controlled
Escape Systems (for use on escape
routes).
These standards state that even if
a door is electronically controlled for
access, there must be a compliant
mechanical means of escape in an
emergency. In the case of fire doors, this
is essential to provide fire protection,
compartmentalise a building, and protect
the escape routes.
This is a critical function in a terror
situation too - offering the ability to shut
off certain areas to terrorists and allow
egress or access to ensure the safety of
the public.
What’s more, Article 17 of the Fire
Safety Order also makes it a legal
requirement to ensure that fire and
escape doors are fit for purpose.
ELECTRIC VS MAGNETIC
In the event of an emergency such
as a fire, there needs to be a reliable
exit route that allows a quick and easy
escape, so ensuring the correct locking
solutions are installed at access points
is key.
There are safety advantages to
be gained by opting for an electric
locking system – such as a motorised
or solenoid lock – rather than choosing
door magnets.
This is because there can be
risks associated with installing a
magnet on a door which is used
as an escape, as they require
special arrangements in order
to guarantee they are fail-safe
at all times in the event of an
emergency.
For example, some door
magnets require an alarm or
‘request to exit’ mechanism
to allow someone to exit,
so there could be delays for
people needing swift egress
in an emergency situation.
Electric locks are also a more
energy efficient solution when
compared with magnetic locks.
A COMPLIANT SOLUTION
With this in mind, Abloy offers a
selection of ‘gold standard’ compliant
security solutions that are ideal for fire
and escape doors.
The market-leading Abloy range
of electric locks includes motor and
solenoid locks, which are the most
effective forms of electric locking, and
also ensure compliance to the mandatory
fire and escape standards.
Solenoid locks, like the Abloy EL560,
work by controlling the handle, and
are suitable for internal doors of public
buildings, offices, schools or hospitals,
and external doors of apartments and
detached houses.
Motorised locks, like the Abloy EL520,
work by drawing the bolt back once a
proximity card or device is presented.
Both locks automatically secure a
deadbolt upon closing, and can be used
with escape mechanisms as appropriate
to the environment and application.
STANDARDS SUPPORT
But it’s not just compliant products
Abloy specialises in. Abloy has been
championing standards for many years,
with a number of knowledgeable in-
house consultants. I am also retained by
BSI and CEN as the UK’s Electric Locking
Technical Expert.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | NOV/DEC 2017
Abloy also shows its
enduring commitment to
compliance in product development
and free training, which really stands
it apart from competitors. The Abloy
Academy, based in Willenhall, provides
training of the highest standard, with
courses cover a wide range of topics.
The Academy brand is recognised as
a mark of excellence, and accreditation
gives your customers reassurance of
your competence and specialist product
understanding.
It is imperative that compliance is
taken seriously and that specifiers of
access control solutions for emergency
escape and fire doors ensure that
systems adhere to the latest regulations
– after all, it could save lives.
So, for further information about
training, products and services available
from Abloy UK, please call 01902 364
500, email [email protected], or go
towww.abloy.co.uk/en/abloy/abloy-co-uk/
academy
SOME SHOCKING FACTS:
• Fire crews attended 87,000 fires
between April and September 2016
• There are around three million new
fire doors installed in the UK every
year
• In 2015, FDIS inspectors found 61%
of fire doors inspected had issues
with fire or smoke seals and more
than 20% had unsuitable hinges
• Nearly six in 10 people would not
know how to identify a fire door